HILLS OF ROCK 2025
July 25th, 26th, and 27th
Rowing Base

HILLS OF ROCK returns, turning the Rowing Base in Plovdiv into the hottest spot for rock and metal culture in Bulgaria once again.

The already announced global giants, GOJIRA and SEPULTURA, are joined by eight more bands: EXTREME, STATIC-X, WHILE SHE SLEEPS, LANDMVRKS, RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS, WOLFMOTHER, and VUKOVI. However, the star-studded lineup for HILLS OF ROCK 2025 has not yet been finalized.

GOJIRA will perform on July 25th, ready to bring new energy and set new standards in Bulgaria as well. Just one year after making musical history at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, the French band will take the stage at the Plovdiv festival. Also on the Main Stage, SKUNK ANANSIE, EXTREME (iconic rock stars from Boston and a true 90s phenomenon, will debut on a Bulgarian stage), LANDMVRKS (we’ll hear modern metalcore filled with aggressive riffs and typical style vocals), and RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR (the French band is guaranteed to bring their colorful musical and visual world this year). The Californian band MACHINE HEAD, led by the charismatic Rob Flynn, will headline on July 26th, the second day of the festival, together with SEPULTURA, who will perform as part of their farewell world tour “Celebrating Life Through Death,” marking 40 years on stage. WOLFMOTHER is another group coming to Bulgaria for the first time in 2025, led by the charismatic Andrew Stockdale – a symbol of modern hard and blues rock. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS – one of the most exciting young bands on the modern post-hardcore scene.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, one of those bands through which alternative rock not only exists but also shapes culture, will perform on July 27th. They will be joined by WHILE SHE SLEEPS, the British metalcore powerhouse with raw energy and stylistic diversity – from symphonic music to hardcore, synth-rock, metal, and socially significant messages. We will welcome STATIC-X, an American industrial band that became famous with their debut album Wisconsin Death Trip in 1999, in which their heavy metal sound drew the attention of the emerging nu-metal movement of the late 90s. VUKOVI is a Scottish alternative pop-punk duo that immediately attracts attention with its conceptual creativity, energetic sound, a name in Serbian, and lyrics inspired by personal stories. With the vocals of Janine Shilstone and the recognizable guitar style of Hamish Reilly, the band has established itself as one of the most exciting on the British scene.

HILLS OF ROCK will gather musical legends whose influence is felt in global music history, as well as contemporary leaders defining the new sound of heavy music.

The traditional partner stages – Na Tamno and Stroezha – will present a selection of beloved Bulgarian artists and impressive international performers, adding even more colors to the festival atmosphere. On the Stroezha stage, the crowd favorites, the industrial band from New York, Dope, will return, while Na Tamno adds a total of eleven new names to the lineup. Dub Pistols, veterans of the festival scene with an explosive mix of reggae, breakbeat, and jungle, whose thrilling history sounds like an epic rock 'n' roll lesson for every artist, Reaven – the French indie band whose name is a blend of the French word “rêve” (dream) and the English “heaven,” the cult favorites in Bulgaria, Smallman, the classics Wickeda, Frankie, the dreamy soft-rock lady Arika Adams, blues, a touch of reggae, and crazy afro beats combined with Taraleshta, alternative rock from Varna with KSHMR, theatrical funk, and curious psychedelic with The Lefties, thrash metal from the long-established Axez, and the dynamic funky trio GREESH.

HILLS OF ROCK is part of the "Heritage 2023" program of the "Plovdiv 2019" Foundation and is implemented with the kind support of the Municipality of Plovdiv.

Follow the official HILLS OF ROCK channels for the latest news and exclusive announcements.

For more information about the event: festteam.bg, hillsofrock.com, ticketstation.bg and facebook.com/hillsofrock.